Bridesmaid Duties

As I procrastinate on the Internet I came across this article that caught my attention because I have the honor of being in one of my best friends wedding.  Since this is the first time I will be an attendant in a wedding I figured I need to do some research.  I started with flipping through bridesmaids books at Barnes and Noble, which I considered on purchasing.  I think the article from the Brides Magazine sums up everything that perfectly of what I will do. 

Can't wait for the your special day Catherine and Tater!!

15 Things a Great Bridesmaid Will Do

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

Photo by Jen Siska

While every bride would love to have her bridesmaid take away all the stress of the wedding, that isn't always reality. But here are some ideas on how she can make the process a bit easier.

1. GIVE YOU HONEST (but gentle) opinions as you try on dresses.

2. WEEP (along with your mom) when you finally emerge from the dressing room wearing The One.

3. CREATE a "tasteful" bachelorette-party wardrobe for you—diamond tiara, fluffy pink boa.

4. OFFER to do your hair and makeup on the wedding day.

5. STUFF 167 candy-favor bags without complaining or eating one single jellybean.

6. RECORD GIFTS at your bridal shower (in legible handwriting).

7. RUN OUT to pick up last-minute items on the wedding day.

8. CALL YOU OUT for bad behavior (i.e., making the matron of honor promise not to get pregnant before the wedding).

9. LEND YOU a shoulder to cry on when the stress gets to be too much.

10. SPEND THE NIGHT before the wedding at your place to talk, laugh, and calm your nerves.

11. DECORATE the outdoor-reception venue in scorching afternoon heat, minus any whining.

12. START DANCING to get the reception crowd up.

13. GIVE YOUR MOM special attention at the wedding—it's her day, too.

14. DEAL WITH THE DJ the second he starts spinning "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

which she knows is song number one on your "don't play—ever!" list.

15. TEXT YOU post-honeymoon for drinks on Thursday night...like always.

Happy Birthday Steve!

Josh and I were lucky enough to be invited to one of our favorite places to celebrate on of our favorite person's Birthday.  Here goes the family tree, Steve is Josh's cousin Elissa's Fiance (that wasn't as bad as I thought) 

Anyways....

For Steve's birthday we went to Dodger Stadium to spend some time in the sun and watch baseball.  This was also Miss. K's first baseball game, so it made it that much more fun.  We ate Dodger dogs, drank some beer, got a little tan, and watched an amazing game. Dodgers were down 3-2, bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, tying run on 2nd, winning run on 1st. Tony Gwynn Jr. hits a single to right....first one scores and here comes the winning run!

Exciting right?! Ok you may not be a Dodger fan or care, but all in all we had a great time and looking forward to our next game.

Congratulations Lauren & Dustin

We were lucky enough to witness one of my favorite people get married in a gorgeous backyard ceremony.  Lauren and I met in Dental Hygiene school and have been co-workers for the last year and a half. Lauren and Dustin got married in her neighbors backyard that looked like it could have been in a Better Homes & Gardens magazine.  Their reception was held at Dustin's parents house, Mendenhall Museum.  The best part was the actual spinning of the 76 ball once it was all lit up at night, except the fact I forgot to take a pictures. Their wedding was fantastic, a gorgeous day, a romantic ceremony, and an amazing party.  Congratulations Lauren, I wish nothing but the best for you and Dustin!

:::Mr. & Mrs. Mendenhall:::

Thank you Living Spaces

Josh got an email from Living Spaces (his favorite furniture store) about the 4th of July sale they were having.  Needless to say we purchased new living room furniture because in the package we got the: Sofa, love seat, coffee table, 2 end tables, 52" flatscreen TV, and DVD player that is 3D.  I am about 98% positive he was so anxious on this purchase was because of of TV and DVD player.  At least the downstairs of the house is almost complete...now we just need to paint....Oh, and I forgot, we had to inspect and put the furniture together at the store at 8:45pm and they were closing at 9 pm.

Mama Mia

I got a surprise on Tuesday at work with my boss asking me what I was doing on Wednesday night.  I thought it was a trick question, so I just said work.  He proceeded to tell me that there was an extra ticket to go with Kristin and Megan to see the play Mama Mia.  I had no idea what I was getting into because the only knowledge I had of Mama Mia was the movie trailer and the signs in Las Vegas.

To my surprise, I really enjoyed it.  The music was fantastic (not an ABBA fan) and all the actors and actresses were amazing.  I am hoping to attend more plays in the future.

My first celebrity crush...Mike Piazza...

All of us have one...I have a few actually.  But one man has been my favorite for years, Mike Piazza. I love him so much I had his poster hanging on my ceiling above my bed (creepy I know) but I am a huge fan!  I first became aware of Mike when he was a catcher for the Dodgers.  Not only is he GORGEOUS, but an excellent ball player.

I got the chance to see him in person at the CDA this weekend.  I was so in awe to see him standing 4 feet from me I didn't know what to do and I couldn't ask Mike Piazza for a picture.  A huge thank you to my friend Iris she asked Mike to give us a smile and he did!  If I had the $800.00 to purchase product and get to take a picture with him I would have, but him saying hello and this picture was huge for me.

Yes, this is now my background on my phone!

:::Mike Piazza #31 Los Angeles Dodgers:::

Happy Mother's Day

My Mommy is my rock, my best friend and partner in crime.  There isn't a day that I don't talk to my Mommy at least 3 times throughout the day and sometimes up to 10 (especially if I'm grocery shopping or cooking).  The conversations range from making sure I know the morning traffic report for my drive to work, how my evening was, or other random moments.  I would not be the person I am today without her.

For Mother's Day we spent the day at Angels Stadium.  We had so much fun from walking the stadium, enjoying the game, and being able to witness Mike Scioscia's 1,000th win as a Team Manager for the Angels. Oh and the best part....our awesome floppy hats!

:::Love the waterfall:::

:::Our floppy hats:::

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Yes, I have lost my marbles BUT you can not tell me the Charleigh and Maverick do not look absolutely adorable in their Cacti and Chili Pepper headbands to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Happy 3rd Birthday Maverick Thomas

My little boy turned 3 today and I can't believe it!  It seems like yesterday I found the ad in the Paper for bloodhound puppies and talked Josh into going to "just look".  Little did he know we would be bringing home the 6 week old 17 lb. runt of the litter.  The second I laid eyes on "Peanut" (as his breeders referred to him) I knew he was coming home with me.

Maverick came right to me and laid in my lap and gave me tons and tons of slobbery kisses and fell asleep.  He has not changed since that day.  At approx. 130 lbs. today Maverick still thinks he is a lap dog and loves to lick you.  He is a total Mommy's Boy and a Lover!

:::My little lover boy::

Cake Class

My favorite Auntie Marti talked me into taking a cake class with her for 4 weeks at our local cake store The Cake Cottage.  I was not too sure of this adventure mainly because: A) I am not Betty Crocker (here) and I have to bake the cakes prior to class and  B) I do not have one artistic bone in my body.  Little did I know I can actually decorate a cake very well.  Now, I am not going to be the next Cake Boss by any means, but some did turn out really well.  I am moving on to Level 2!!

 :::Favorite Auntie on our first night in class:::

 :::My first cake. I went a little overboard with the flowers:::

 :::Back of Cake #2:::

 :::Top of Cake #2:::

 :::Cake #3 Artic Cake complete with Penguin, Polar Bear, and Walrus:::

 :::My first attempt at making a rose::

:::Cake #4:::

Jason Aldean

Josh's birthday came around and so I decided to get tickets to go see Jason Aldean.  We had so much fun with Shannon and Jeff.  Jason Aldean puts on an amazing concert and I can't wait until he comes to town again to see him.

Mr & Mrs. Jon & Briana

Here is to another happy couple, Jon and & Briana.  My mom has been friends with Briana's mom and also my godmother since 4th grade.  Briana and I have grown up together of the years.  I was lucky enough to have her be a pat of my wedding with doing the flowers.  She had a absolute gorgeous wedding and looked radiant!  We had so much fun and enjoyed every minute of it.

 :::Happy Couple:::

                                :::Yummy Candy bar:::   

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Ball

Wedding season is upon us and here is to the first happy couple. Welcome to married life Pat & Jessica.  May you have many years of happiness and the best of luck in Idaho.

 :::Just Married:::

 :::Best Man Geoffrey reading is speech from his Iphone....technology:::

 :::First Dance:::

:::Jessica and Josh:::

Dodgers season is in full swing

Hands down my favorite time of year is when its baseball season!  I L-O-V-E the Dodgers. I have been a fan ever since I was little. Josh on the other hand was a Padres fan...boo! I am proud to say that he has come to the winning team....DODGERS...and has become a fan of THINK BLUE! Thanks to Stub-Hub so far this season we have been to 6 home Dodgers baseball game.  We have had so much fun going and and getting are Dodgers Snuggies, T-shirts, and of course the famous Dodger Dogs! Here's to more games at Blue Heaven!

 :::Blue Heaven:::

 :::So proud of his backpack ice chest full of drinks, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and licorice:::

:::Throwback to Brooklyn Dodgers:::

Hunting for Worms

I had the joy of watching Mr. Tanner on Tuesday and man did we have some fun.  This is a kid who knows what he wants and when he wants it.  He wanted to go out and hunt for worms so he could put them in his pocket.  I told him we couldn't go because it was raining outside.  Once the rain stopped and the sun came out he told me and out the door he went.  I let Josh have the duties of hunting for worms with Tanner. Tanner wanted to make sure he checked under every rock looking for them.  It was so cute hearing him instruct Josh on moving the rocks and digging.  I found an empty Cool Whip tub so he could put his worms in that instead of his pockets.

::Digging under the last rock::

::We didn't check under the big rock::

::Tanner counting his worms::

::Look, we found some::

::Washing the dirt off::

My Love's...My Kids...

Life is like a roller coaster with ups, down, twists, and turns.  I have experienced a quite a wild ride the last few years.  I know one thing though...my lovable and sometimes misbehaving 'hounds have made this ride much more enjoyable.  They know exactly how to put a smile on my face. Either with greeting me at the back door when I get home form a long day of work, giving me tons and tons of slobbery kisses, or simply just laying next to me with their heads on my lap.

I refer to Charleigh Grace and Maverick Thomas as my kids because that is exactly what they are to me.  They may never understand how much joy they bring to my life on a daily basis, but I can't imagine life without them.

:::Charleigh Grace:::

::Maverick Thomas

The Mullet

My brother and I couldn't be more opposite if we tried.  He is loud, crazy, unpredictable and doesn't care what others think of him.  We all know back in the early 90s the Mullet was in style...business in front and party in the back.  Well the is the 2nd time for my brother Chris to grow a mullet.  The first time I think a friend told him to have one for his wedding (thank god he was just a guest and not in the wedding party) and now he wants to be Joe Dirt for Halloween. We have been watching the transformation...we were told it was only until Halloween, but he talked his fiancée into keeping it until January...oh my!

I have to say that it is historical to hear what people say and and the stares that he gets when he walks around.  He is so famous with it he even made it into Trans World Magazine from Anaheim Supercross.

Charleigh loves WIPEOUT!

I have the "kids"/dogs come in at night to keep me company when Josh isn't home from work yet. They wrestle around and run through the house for a bit and then finally settle down and go to sleep.  As I was making dinner I look out to the living room and see Miss. Charleigh Grace on the couch (at least she is on Josh's snuggie) watching WIPEOUT.  Charleigh knows better that she is not allowed on the couch and doesn't move when I tell her, but she is just so cute there watching television, so I just left her...until Josh came home and made her get up...

::Charleigh enjoying the nice comfy couch and her new snuggie::

::Maverick getting in on the action. He still thinks he is my lap dog at 128 lbs::

Santa Cruz

We are up in Monterey visiting family, so we took a little drive up the coast to visit Santa Cruz. It was a mellow day, but the weather was beautiful! We had a nice little walk and some great food at the Dolphin Cafe.

:::Santa Cruz Boardwalk:::

:::Seagull:::

::Adorable Sea Lions. Made me miss my Maverick when I heard the speak:::

:::Us:::